Funding tool: Basic research projects
Project-ID: LS10-021
Project start: 01. November 2011
Project end: will follow
Runtime: 36 months / finished
Funding amount: € 270.000,00

Brief summary:

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer worldwide. In Austria, the incidence of colorectal cancer in women almost equals that of men and is one of the highest in the European Union. Asthonishingly, the incidence culminates in Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), whereas Vorarlberg displays the lowest one (approximately 35% lower). Apart from the well known prognostic and predictive tumour markers, a new series of biomarkers – so called microRNAs – have been discovered. They are linked to a relapse of disease and metastases, as well. The identification and characterisation of the microRNA profile will thus help to understand the tumourigenesis in both divergent countries. Moreover, the therapeutic strategy regarding patients with Dukes B is under dispute because of missing objective criteria. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy is administered in cases with tumours of big size or with worse grading. We, therefore, aim to determine the specific microRNA profile, validate their function in an experimental proof-of-principle study and to characterize patients at risk for recurrence and/or metastasis.

Keywords:
miRNA, molecular pathology, colorectal cancer